Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Weightloss: Im FINALLY making it happen

Hi guys,

I have been riding for about 2 years, but just recently decided to put the screws to the weight loss thing.

After finishing my first century on March 28, I weighed 300lbs, same as I have weighed for years. Since then, I have adjusted my diet and continued to ride. Up to now, I have lost 18 lbs, just over 2 months later.

The first move I made was cutting sweets. At my office there is ALWAYS something - cookies, doughnuts, pastelitos (cuban pastries), etc. I had developed a bit of an addiction to sugar. My mom made the suggestion of holding strong for 2 weeks with NO sugar to cut the habit. I did, and she was right. Now, I MIGHT, every once in a while, have a doughnut or a cookie or something, but there is NO craving, and when I do eat one, I can stop.

After that, I just started making better choices for my meals. I don't really deprive myself of anything, just choose better content for my meals.

It was a bit of a struggle at first, but now its easy. I just dont think about food. Almost everyday I weigh in and there is a bit of a loss. This morning I am at 282. I am hoping to be down to below 270 for a century I am doing in Napa Valley in late August, and after that, who knows? I cant imagine getting below 250 (Im built like a football player - I would probably be as trim as I can get at that weight), but we shall see when we get there!

I even feel a difference in my riding. I feel stronger and faster than I did weeks back. Yesterday I did a one hour "fast" (for me) loop that I do every week or two when I am riding solo. In the past, my best MPH avg for that same loop had been 18.2. A few weeks ago I hit 18.9, and yesterday I felt really good and hit 19.5 for the hour.

Anyway, I know that 18lbs is not that big of a deal, but I have NEVER been able to figure out a repeatable and sustainable recipe for weight loss, and for the first time I feel as though I may have found what works for me.

Hi guys,

I have been riding for about 2 years, but just recently decided to put the screws to the weight loss thing.

After finishing my first century on March 28, I weighed 300lbs, same as I have weighed for years. Since then, I have adjusted my diet and continued to ride. Up to now, I have lost 18 lbs, just over 2 months later.

The first move I made was cutting sweets. At my office there is ALWAYS something - cookies, doughnuts, pastelitos (cuban pastries), etc. I had developed a bit of an addiction to sugar. My mom made the suggestion of holding strong for 2 weeks with NO sugar to cut the habit. I did, and she was right. Now, I MIGHT, every once in a while, have a doughnut or a cookie or something, but there is NO craving, and when I do eat one, I can stop.

After that, I just started making better choices for my meals. I don't really deprive myself of anything, just choose better content for my meals.

It was a bit of a struggle at first, but now its easy. I just dont think about food. Almost everyday I weigh in and there is a bit of a loss. This morning I am at 282. I am hoping to be down to below 270 for a century I am doing in Napa Valley in late August, and after that, who knows? I cant imagine getting below 250 (Im built like a football player - I would probably be as trim as I can get at that weight), but we shall see when we get there!

I even feel a difference in my riding. I feel stronger and faster than I did weeks back. Yesterday I did a one hour "fast" (for me) loop that I do every week or two when I am riding solo. In the past, my best MPH avg for that same loop had been 18.2. A few weeks ago I hit 18.9, and yesterday I felt really good and hit 19.5 for the hour.

Anyway, I know that 18lbs is not that big of a deal, but I have NEVER been able to figure out a repeatable and sustainable recipe for weight loss, and for the first time I feel as though I may have found what works for me.

Congratulations. In my opinion, losing a small amount of weight for active guys with a football player build is more impressive than the large losses racked up by people like myself, Bdinger, Stormcrowe, et al. We had our backs against the wall, which is a lot more motivating than someone who the world sees as 'normal sized' dropping some pounds to improve his performance. Nothing forced you to do this - except yourself.

18 lbs is a lot. ?Next time your in a gym, grab a 20 lbs dumbell and just walkaround with it and see how fast it gets uncomfortable. It will also make a noticeable difference on the bike. I'm at 235 down from 255 when i first got my bike and combined with my improved conditioning of course I'm a helluva lot faster on my bike.

18 pounds is why my pants don't fit right :) So I'm thinking it's a pretty big deal. Well done!

That's awesome! I'm kind of like that in the sense that I'm built more like a linebacker...an out of shape ex high school football linebacker...but...you get the point. I'm trying to lose about 20 pounds myself, so...congratulations!

Congratulations, that's a huge accomplishment. I know how you feel; I'm 6'0, former college football player, and I started at 375 and am now down to about 324. I'm very active, still kayaking, cycling, snow skiing; but I can tell the huge difference the weight loss has made in my ability to go longer and enjoy the activities.

Keep up the good work and let us know how you do; hearing stories like this are motivational.

FANTASTIC!!!

my wife dropped 70 pounds after quitting sugar

good for you. btw: I stopped snacking on cookies and donuts. now I snack on chicken cutlets; fruit or a great yogurt from starbucks with fruit and granola. you're on the right track by changing your lifestyle and week by week; month by month and year by year you'll keep improving. use short and long term goals. you say 18 lbs isn't a lot but deep down you know its fantastic! :) but another 18 lbs is gonna be tremendously fantastic! :)

Congrats: Sounds like you are well on your way to loosing substantial amounts of weight. Take your time, and find a diet that you can live with for the rest of your life.

If your preparing to ride a century, you are doing so much better then me!!!!!

All the best

Ken

Congratulations on the weight loss. 18 lbs is a big deal.

I can relate to the office goodie situation. My coworkers are fantastic cooks and bring in cookies, cake, etc. regularly. Takes a ton of willpower to break that habit.

Since making the effort to avoid office sweets and putting in more miles, on the bike I've dropped 50+ lbs and counting. Feels great!!!

Good luck on that Century in Napa. I'll have to look that one up. I did a metric in Lincoln (near Sacto.) last month and looking to do my first imperial this Summer. Need to find one that has a modest level of climbing.

Regards.

I have been riding for about 2 years, but just recently decided to put the screws to the weight loss thing.

After finishing my first century on March 28, I weighed 300lbs, same as I have weighed for years. Since then, I have adjusted my diet and continued to ride. Up to now, I have lost 18 lbs, just over 2 months later.

Dude - in two short months, you lost more than my cat weighs. And to put that in perspective, if you saw her, you'd think my cat swallowed a basket ball.

Also, I've been riding a bike as long as I can remember, plus kayaking, hiking, etc. Years ago, people were shocked at how many miles I'd ride. But the weight didn't come off until I changed my diet. Seems to be a recurring theme ... and you're clearly on the right track!

hey guys, thanks for all the support!

I guess I can use this thread to post updates. Today I weighed in at 281, thats a 1# loss since last tuesday. Will update next monday. Still shooting for 270 by mid august!

I just started making better choices for my meals. I don't really deprive myself of anything, just choose better content for my meals.




I have been very sucessful W/Weight Watchers coupled W/a vigorous excercise (XC skiing/cycling) program.

Weight Watchers just simply works. It's NOT a diet, rather a lifestyle/nutrition change.

You can see the results of 5 months on the program in my signature below.

I'm starting to see progress as well now that I'm tracking my calories.

I thought calorie-counting would be annoying, but I have a BB app that makes it easy (Brio - Livestrong was too complicated).

I'm starting to think of myself as having a calorie "budget" of 1500 per day (1000 lower than my 2500 basal metabolic rate). higher of course if I do some exercise.

now, when I think about eating chips or something else that won't fill me up or give me energy, I realize that those are "wasted/empty calories"

Good morning folks,


So I did my weigh in this morning. The weight is 277, 4 lbs less than last Monday. I was very tight on the food during the week, ate more on the weekend, but got in 145miles in the week as well.

4lbs in a week is very exciting! The running total is 24 lbs since the beginning of April.

So I have not updated in a while, but I am kinda psyched that today I weighed in at 269.

I felt like I hit a wall in the low 270's, and just hung there for a bit. a couple of weeks ago, I introduced jogging into the regimen, and I feel like it kick started things again, and today I finally saw the long awaited 260's!

Congrats to you! 18 pounds is excellent! You are moving your weightloss in the right direction. Keep it up (or should I say down, lol) You kicked one of the hardest addiction and that is sugar. Your body is building muscle too with all that increase in your activities so don't get discourage if you feel like your weight is taking a bit longer to drop.

I'm just starting out again. I loss 100 pounds back in 2005/2006 but unfortunately hit a medical problem and stress and gained it back. So here I am starting all over again. Maybe I'll get brave enough to post my before, after and before 'again' pictures. lol That might help too keep me motivated. lol


Looking forward to reading more about your journey. Way to go :)

Congrats to you! 18 pounds is excellent! You are moving your weightloss in the right direction. Keep it up (or should I say down, lol) You kicked one of the hardest addiction and that is sugar. Your body is building muscle too with all that increase in your activities so don't get discourage if you feel like your weight is taking a bit longer to drop.

I'm just starting out again. I loss 100 pounds back in 2005/2006 but unfortunately hit a medical problem and stress and gained it back. So here I am starting all over again. Maybe I'll get brave enough to post my before, after and before 'again' pictures. lol That might help too keep me motivated. lol


Looking forward to reading more about your journey. Way to go :)

Thanks so much, but its actually 31 lbs now!!! ;)

Anyway, if you are looking to lose again, you have come to the right place. Riding is a great way to lose weight. It is the on exercise I have ever done that, in my brain, isnt exercise, but just something I love to do when I get home from work.

Congrats to the OP and all the others who've contributed to this thread.

I'm down 70 from my all-time high of 308 about 6 years ago. I'd stalled at about 40 off, and gained 20 of that back, before deciding enough was enough and joining my wife at Weight Watchers. In the 3 months since I did that I'm down that regained 20 plus 10 more. Now I'm thinking of a "normal" weight as an actual realistic goal for me - something I never allowed myself to do before. I'm shooting for 165, but as a little extra incentive, I've decided when I break 200 I'll deserve a reward - something like a nice, new road bike. The Trek 1500 is a little long in the tooth - and I'm tired of downtube shifters. ;) But hey! At least it's indexed. My first decent bike was an '84 Gitane with friction shifters - anyone even remember those things?

I don't mean for this to sound like a pitch for WW, but it really does work. Besides retraining your thinking about food and healthy eating, it provides structure that I clearly need in order for this to happen for me. Plus, like one of the other posts said, it gets you thinking about your intake in a "budgetary" manner. You only have so many calories (or in their system, "points") to spend each day and you have to make that work for you with the choices you make.

So everyone here - keep up the great work! I look forward to the day we're all clydes/athenas emeritus! :D

Thanks so much, but its actually 31 lbs now!!! ;)

Anyway, if you are looking to lose again, you have come to the right place. Riding is a great way to lose weight. It is the on exercise I have ever done that, in my brain, isnt exercise, but just something I love to do when I get home from work.


AWESOME! :) I don't think of riding as exercise either. I am truly loving just being back out on a bike and in the woods. It doesn't feel like exercise at all. I pedal the whole time not allowing myself to coast at all or for any longer than 5 seconds. lol


Most of my weight is in my legs but my legs have always been the strongest part of my body too. So heres to losing what shouldn't be there and making them stronger than ever. :)

Keep up the great weight loss

Congrats to the OP and all the others who've contributed to this thread.

I'm down 70 from my all-time high of 308 about 6 years ago. I'd stalled at about 40 off, and gained 20 of that back, before deciding enough was enough and joining my wife at Weight Watchers. In the 3 months since I did that I'm down that regained 20 plus 10 more. Now I'm thinking of a "normal" weight as an actual realistic goal for me - something I never allowed myself to do before. I'm shooting for 165, but as a little extra incentive, I've decided when I break 200 I'll deserve a reward - something like a nice, new road bike. The Trek 1500 is a little long in the tooth - and I'm tired of downtube shifters. ;) But hey! At least it's indexed. My first decent bike was an '84 Gitane with friction shifters - anyone even remember those things?

So everyone here - keep up the great work! I look forward to the day we're all clydes/athenas emeritus! :D


Congrats Craig! I love your positive attitude and great outlook on your future. Keep doing what you are doing because it's working. Weight Watchers is great for learning how to eat, nutrition, and maintaining. My mother is a life time member so I grew up with weight watchers as a concept of healthy living. I'm basically monitoring my calorie intake without really counting calories but more aware of what each item has etc.

I love how you have a goal of getting a road bike once you get under a certain weight. You deserve that. I have a funny feeling that I will be doing the same too. :)

Keep up the great work. Have you posted any before/after pictures yet? I'm still trying to get the nerve up to do it lol

^^ no pics yet, NH Girl. I've got to dig some out and check dates so I know what was when.

If you haven't ridden a good road bike, you'll be amazed at what it's like. I'm an old roadie at heart - I'm only on the Fisher because 70 pounds ago I didn't trust my weight on the Trek. I don't take the Fisher off-road, or more accurately off-paved trail, and in fact I'm riding a second set of wheels with slightly narrower and higher pressure tires than its original knobbies. Rolling resistance is the bane of my existence. Hey I like that - I may need to make that my signature line. Except that I'd have to add wind, and hills, and dogs. And that would destroy the poetry. ;)

^^ no pics yet, NH Girl. I've got to dig some out and check dates so I know what was when.

If you haven't ridden a good road bike, you'll be amazed at what it's like. I'm an old roadie at heart - I'm only on the Fisher because 70 pounds ago I didn't trust my weight on the Trek. I don't take the Fisher off-road, or more accurately off-paved trail, and in fact I'm riding a second set of wheels with slightly narrower and higher pressure tires than its original knobbies. Rolling resistance is the bane of my existence. Hey I like that - I may need to make that my signature line. Except that I'd have to add wind, and hills, and dogs. And that would destroy the poetry. ;)

I haven't been on a road bike since my teen years. lol I've always admired 'roadies' as the passed by me. I love the fact of covering a large distance and of course the speed. I won't put myself on a road bike until I lose weight. I'm actually thinking of making that one of my goals. A year from now buying a nice road bike to use. That gives me a year to learn more about riding and to lose this weight too. I just love to cycle and be out there.

What your ideal road bike?

I like your quote...it would be a good signature. :) Make a second quote for your hills, wind and dogs lol

I'm not sure what I would consider an "ultimate" road bike for me. I don't especially feel the need for the most expensive of everything, though if someone gave it to me, I'd take it. ;)

My first adult-age bike was a Motobecane Mirage back in the mid 1970s. It was a general-purpose entry level get-around-town kind of bike. When I got out of college a couple of years later I got a Sakai, which was much nicer, but was designed more for touring. I discovered that I wanted to bomb around more than that bike allowed - it was way more stable and sedate than responsive. So in the mid-80s I got a Gitane TdF that was more than I could afford, but was *so* nice. It was the first time I felt really comfortable at speed. I actually raced it a little. Then around 1990 I succumbed to the index shifting revolution and got my current road bike, a Trek 1500 - their 2nd generation aluminum. Now I think I'd be perfectly happy with a $1500 +/- aluminum or entry level carbon ride. I've been looking at Cannondale's Synapse 6 Carbon, or a Jamis Ventura Race, or maybe a Giant Defy Alliance 1. Any of those will do as incentive to get under that magical 200-lb mark. When that happens I may retire the street wheels that are on the Fisher, put the trail wheels back on it and start to learn to ride off-road.

Thanks so much, but its actually 31 lbs now!!! ;)

Anyway, if you are looking to lose again, you have come to the right place. Riding is a great way to lose weight. It is the on exercise I have ever done that, in my brain, isnt exercise, but just something I love to do when I get home from work.

Congratz mate, that is awesome. I hope I can carry through to achieve similar results. I am just over 3 weeks on my new roadie, and down from 284.8lbs to 275.1lbs, so happy with the results so far, but just have to keep pushing. My own concern is that I have to go on a business trip ovrseas for 2 weeks and am worried about the progress stalling, or worse, having it bounce back. But anyway, I try to keep motivated.

I went from around 245 to 250, down to 175 with calorie counting and biking, well started
biking (A LOT), stopped watching the calorie intake thinking the biking was covering me.
Well gained about 10 pounds back ! Seems I still need to watch the calories.. Richard

Congrats on the weight loss!! I'm down to 214, I was 250 in February. I cut out fried foods, almost all bread and refined sugar. I drink lots of water and I can't even remember the last time I had a carbonated drink. If I get a craving for something I don't deprive myself, I just eat a reasonable amount. One of my big problems was skipping meals and then eating way too much. I have myself in a routine now, 3 meals a day and healthy snacks in between. My goal is 180. The BMI charts say I should be at 155 for my height but at 180 I should be very lean, I really can't imagine losing much more than that with my build.

BMI charts LIE!!! Those charts say I am suppose to be at 205. LOL! I played D1 sports at a major school at 225 when I was 17. When I was an ultra distance rider, the least I was was 265 with 6% body fat.

30 years latter I'm fat now, but working on it, back ridding the bike, and starting to lose some weight. BUT I will NEVER, EVER see 205. LOL!

I agree about BMI. I only use mine as a general tracking tool, much like the scale, to measure progress. The BMI charts say I could weigh as little as 129 without being "underweight" and that just ain't so. I guarantee you that with a broad-shouldered 5'-11" build, 129 would have me looking like an Auschwitz survivor. 165 is my goal, but to be honest, I'll be happy, if not content, with 170 to 180.

BTW, 4.4 pounds off this past week, as of this morning's WW meeting. That puts me at 74 pounds down, and 67 to go.

Thats awesome,,,,I am with you as far as the eating is concern I am finally at a point which I can control my cravings and can also stop eating......